Behind the Veil

BalletNEXT brings Behind the Veil to the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, October 20, at 6:30 PM. It's a new gothic ballet inspired by the story of Giselle, and it sits right where classical ballet meets contemporary movement. If you know Giselle, you know the basics—the betrayal, the ghost, the tragic love—but this version isn't a straight retelling. It takes the familiar tale and turns it into something new, focusing on the darker side of the story: the past that follows us, the dead who still have something to say, and a forgiveness that comes at a cost.

The most striking part is the score. It pulls together music by Marilyn Manson, Madonna, and Mozart, which tells you exactly where this is heading. You've got the classical weight of Mozart, the pop sensibility of Madonna, and the industrial grit of Manson all in one piece. It's a strange combination on paper, but that's the point—it's a gothic take on a romantic classic, and the music does a lot of the heavy lifting in setting that mood.

Practical details: the performance runs 50 minutes with no intermission, so it's a single, focused stretch. It's recommended for all ages, but everyone needs a ticket, including infants being held. After the show, there's a Q&A with the artists, so you can stick around and hear them talk through the piece. The show is at the Leona Wagner Black Box Theatre, part of the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center at 138 West 300 South in Salt Lake City. If you're getting an ArtTix ticket, it doubles as a UTA transit pass on the day of the show, which is a nice perk if you're taking the bus or light rail in.